Alberto Pasini

Blakeslee Collection, New York (his sale, Chickering Hall, New York, 4 April 1893)
Sale: Christie's, London, 3 November 1977, lot 175
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Paris, Galerie Boussod & Valadon, Pasini, 1886 (titled Le Déroute)

Paul de Katow, 'L'Exposition des études de Venise par P.', Gill Blas, Paris, 8 March 1886, no. 2302
L'Illustrazione Popolare per la Famiglie, 1889, pp. 456-7 (titled La carica)
J. Copeau, L'Orient de Pasini, Paris, 1911, p. 16, illustrated
Vittoria Botteri Cardoso, Pasini, Genoa, 1991, pp. 350-51, catalogued and illustrated (titled In rotta)

Held in a decorative, dark-gold painted frame. The colours of the paintings are somewhat brighter and cleaner than in the catalogue illustration. The following condition report has been prepared by Hamish Dewar Ltd., London SW1Y 6BU: UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas is lined and is securely attached to a keyed wooden stretcher. This is providing a stable structural support. There is a fine pattern of craquelure visible within the low-lying clouds and to the shrubbery in the centre of the composition. This is stable and is not particularly visually distracting. Paint surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. Inspection under ultra violet light shows scattered retouchings, the most significant of which are: 1) two vertical lines of retouching corresponding to old raised repairs, towards the centre of the left vertical framing edge, 2) an area within the clouds above and to the right of the previously mentioned retouching, 3) an area corresponding to an old damage towards the centre of the right vertical framing edge, 4) an area in the upper right corner of the composition, and 5) small spots and lines towards the centre of the sky. Other very minor retouchings are also visible. Summary The painting therefore appears to be in good and stable condition.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

At the 1886 Pasini exhibition at Galerie Boussod & Valadon, Paul de Katow singled out the present work and The Falconer for special mention: 'il faut signal Le Fauconnier et Le Déroute qui sont des chefs-d'oeuvre' (Paul de Katow, op. cit.).